Document 1:
Title: Petition of John C. Brashear, 16 July 1862
Date: July 16, 1862
Source Text: A microfilm reproduction of the original document held at the National Archives and Records Administration, Microcopy 520, Reel 6. The original document is held in the Records of the Accounting Officers of the Department of the Treasury, 1775–1978, National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group 217.6.5. Within the National Archives' Archival Description Catalog, see ARC Identifier 4644616 / MLR Number A1 347 (http://arcweb.archives.gov).
Document 2:
Title: Evidence Relating to the Petition of John C. Brashear, 28 October 1862
Date: October 28, 1862
Source Text: A microfilm reproduction of the original document held at the National Archives and Records Administration, Microcopy 520, Reel 6. The original document is held in the Records of the Accounting Officers of the Department of the Treasury, 1775–1978, National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group 217.6.5. Within the National Archives' Archival Description Catalog, see ARC Identifier 4644616 / MLR Number A1 347 (http://arcweb.archives.gov).
Civil War Washington ID: cww.01081
TEI/XML: cww.01081.xml
PETITION.
To the Commissioners under the act of Congress approved the 16th of April, 1862, entitled "An act for the release of certain persons held to service or labor in the District of Columbia."
Your Petitioner, John C Brashear of Bedford Penn by this his petition in writing, represents and states, that he is a person loyal to the United States, who, at the time of the passage of the said act of Congress, held a claim to service or labor against the following named person of African descent of the name of George Johnson for and during the life of said George and that by said act of Congress said George was discharged and freed of and from all claim of your petitioner to such service or labor; that at the time of said discharge said George was of the age of thirty six years and of the personal description following:(1) That is to say he is about five feet five inches in height very dark complexion.
That your petitioner acquired his claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said George in manner following:(2) That is to say, George was purchased by your petitioner from the father of your petitioner about the year 1851. The Bill of sale is now on record at the City Hall in Washington D.C.
That your petitioner's claim to the service or labor of said George was, at the time of said discharge therefrom, of the value of five hundred dollars in money.(3) George is an excellent waiter or porter, he is hired now to Mr Deming, who keeps a Grocery store on 7th Street, at the rate of four and a half dollars per week, he is faithful, truthful, honest, and obedient, industrious & moral.
Your petitioner hereby declares that he bears true and faithful allegiance to the Government of the United States, and that he has not borne arms against the United States in the present rebellion, nor in any way given aid or comfort thereto.
And your petitioner further states and alleges, that he has not brought said George into the District of Columbia since the passage of said act of Congress; and that, at the time of the passage thereof, said George was held to service or labor therein under and by virtue of your petitioner's claim to such service or labor.
Your petitioner further states and alleges, that his said claim to the service or labor of said George does not originate in or by virtue of any transfer heretofore made by any person who has in any manner aided or sustained the present rebellion against the Government of the United States.
And your petitioner prays the said Commissioners to investigate and determine the validity of his said claim to the service or labor of said George herein above set forth; and if the same be found to be valid, that they appraise and apportion the value of said claim in money, and report the same to the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States, in conformity to the provisions of said act of Congress.
John C Brashear
Your letter of the 7 was received a few days ago I should have answered sooner but have not been well in answer to your questions about George Johnson he is 36 or 37 years old 5 feet 5 inches in height very dark I might add very black he is humpbacked when he was a boy he was hurt in the back but I believe strong & hearty now or was when I left Washington I have not seen him for two or three years but I presume he is yet as I have never heard to the contrary I bought him of my father in 1851 the bill of sale was witnessed by B. F. Morsell the Grocery Merchant and drawn up by B. K. Morsell at that time a Magistrate I think the bill of sale is recorded at the City Hall
Judging from what I hired him for I think I can safely say he is worth $250 he is a good waiter or porter I hired him to Mr. B F Morsell also to Mr. B Hall the Grocer he formerly worked on the farm and was a good hand he was honest and faithful & truthful as far as I know
In forming my opinion as to his value I base my Judgement for what I hired him for I never hired him for less than $10 per month very often $12 to 15 per month I think I have answered all of your questions as far as I know you can inquire of either of those Gentlemen I have named about George I asked Mr Barchus to look after George as I have not heard from him for two or three months I did not know wether he was living or dead but I suppose if he is dead I should of learned it
John C. Brashear
[Form of the Oath for the Verification of the Petition.]
Bedford County, ss.
I, John C. Brashear being duly sworn, do depose and say, that all the several matters and things which are set forth and stated in the foregoing petition, as of my own knowledge, are true in substance and in fact; and that all the several other matters and things therein set forth and stated, as from the information of others, I believe to be true in substance and in fact.
John C. Brashear
Sworn to and subscribed before me this fifth day of July A. D. 1862.
Jno Mowen
Notary Public
John C Brashear
Note (1.)-- Here describe the person, so as to identify him or her; and if there be more than one slave, describe each one separately.
Note (2.)-- Here state how the claim was acquired, when, from whom, and for what price or consideration; and, if held under any written evidence of title, make exhibit thereof, or refer to the public record where the same may be found.
Note (3.)-- Here state such facts, if any there be, touching the value of the petitioner's claim to the service or labor of the person, as may enhance the same, and also such facts, if any, touching the moral, mental, and bodily infirmities or defects of said person, as impair the value of the petitioner's claim to such service or labor, and conclude such statement with an averment that the petitioner knows of no other infirmities or defects of said person which impair the value of petitioner's claim to such service or labor, and that he believes none other to exist. If the petitioner specify no such infirmity or defect, then his statement touching the value of his claim should conclude with an averment that he has no knowledge of any such infirmity or defect.
